Art has a scary side in The Living Room in Stroudsburg

Where can you find paranormal investigation footage, live music, artwork and friendly members of the community? Why, The Living Room, of course.

MELANIE VANDERVEER

Where can you find paranormal investigation footage, live music, artwork and friendly members of the community? Why, The Living Room, of course.

The Living Room, next to the Sherman Theater in downtown Stroudsburg, offers a cozy place for artists to come together and show their work. The volunteer-run spot opened earlier in the year and entertains with different monthly themes. October has a Halloween theme, with some added excitement.

"October's show is a featured artist show with four artists. They all kind of work in a scary realm of artwork, but on different wavelengths," said Shane Izykowski, event organizer. "We're keeping it scary for October."

The show will feature work by Earl Kessler, Keyaira Lynn VonDred, Drew VonDred and Jase Clark.

Kessler, an artist from Bangor, will have about 30 pieces in the October show.

"I have a bunch of stuff from previous shows. I'll get a little wall of space to hang about 30 pieces," Kessler said. "My stuff in the show is horror-oriented art — bright, bold, almost silkscreen-poster inspired. There will be some concert stuff, too, but that also falls into the horror element. Some is purely horror and other stuff is skulls, monsters and demons."

In addition to the art on display, the October show's opening will also offer paranormal information.

"Our paranormal team, Core Phenomena Research, performed a full-scale investigation at the Sherman Theater on Aug. 11, and we'll be presenting our results at The Living Room on Oct. 6. With our team of seven researchers and several guest investigators, we pulled out all the 'big gun' equipment and set up in several different spots throughout, including the main stage, basement and the attic," said John Hotchkiss, paranormal investigator. "Did we catch anything noteworthy? You're going to have to show up at the presentation to find out."

Hotchkiss said there is really strange footage. They also heard odd noises and startling bangs while doing the investigation.

"We'll premier it on the night of the presentation and leave it up to the viewer to decide for themselves whether it's proof of activity, or something more earthly," he said. "We can safely say, without giving away too much, that the Sherman investigation has presented us with exciting data, and we thank Shane and Rich Berkowitz for choosing our team and giving us the rare opportunity to research within its historical walls."

Photographer and board member Brandon Jones of Stroudsburg has been involved in The Living Room since the beginning. He submits to every show and helps out with ideas and organizing shows.

"The Living Room gives a venue for most of us who never thought we had a venue. Month to month, it's been a way to get my work out," Jones said. "It's been more successful than we imagined. We've never had a shortage. We were uncertain when we started if people were going to show up and take us seriously. We've been surprised with how much work was coming in. If you create it, we hang it. And the level of work is constantly surprising. It's been a huge success."

Not only does The Living Room showcase artists' work, they also sell it.

"What makes us different is we are backed by the Sherman Theater. There is no commission on sold art, fees or dues," Izykowski said. "We need donations to give back to the nonprofit. The environment feels like a living room, so everyone is comfortable, welcome and warm. People buy art and want to donate."

Darlene Farris-Labar, a board member and an art professor at East Stroudsburg University, feels this is a great place to have in the community.

"The space is basically running based off of the Sherman Theater, so we don't have to sell art to keep it alive. Having this freedom is an opportunity for almost anyone in the community to be a part of and present their art in the space," Farris-Labar said. "It challenges people in many ways, and that's important for the community. It's not just for one crowd; it's for anyone in the community."

Izykowski and the rest of the board members have been throwing ideas around for the rest of the year and next year's shows.

"November's theme is 'Art in the Dark.' Halfway through the show, we will turn the lights off. Half of the show will be in the light and the other half in the dark," Izykowski said. "December will be a featured artist show with four artists. They are going to do live photography during the show with a yoga instructor."

Some shows for next year include a phobia show, word-and-text show and an open show utilizing any medium and any topic.

"We've sat down as a committee and planned out shows for next year," Jones said. "We know we aren't going anywhere in the short term."

For Farris-Labar, the constant change in theme makes the space more inviting and constantly changing.

"The themes keep people engaged, and it breaks up the monotony. It makes it interesting and fun," said Farris-Labar. "It helps connect people from various areas of the community. It's a hub where everyone can come together."